International Women's Day service 2018

Photographs copyright: Charlotte Mortimer-Talman

Over 100 men, women and children came together at St Thomas's Church, Salisbury on Thursday March 8th, to celebrate women's gifts of music, words and Ministry on International Women's Day. The service was entirely written, composed and led by, women and the theme this year was 'Light Eternal'. Three new compositions received their premiere; 'Our Endless Day' by Hilary Campbell, Lux Aeterna by Olivia Sparkhall, and the new hymn-tune 'Cleeton St Mary' by Rachel Hewitt, written to be sung to the words 'Sing a new church' by Sister Dolores Duffner, OSB. Our Endless Day and Lux Aeterna have both since been published in our Anthology of Sacred Music by Women Composers, Volume 2. 

Six ministers from across the city's churches, led the service, and Rev Ana Gobledale of United Reformed Church, Salisbury, delivered the homily. 

The service brought together the creativity of over 45 women and girls from the Salisbury community, each bringing their own particular skills and gifts. 

The service focussed on the writings of Dame Hildegard of Bingen and her Revelations of Divine Love, and received national attention through social media and was reported in the Church Times.